ACSA assures airlines of Jet A-1 fuel supply despite Natref shutdown

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has reassured airlines and passengers that Jet A-1 fuel supplies remain stable across its major airports following an unplanned shutdown of a downstream unit at the Natref refinery.

Natref supplies between 70% and 80% of the fuel required by OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), with the remainder sourced through the Multi-Product Pipeline from the coast and dedicated rail deliveries.

ACSA said it had activated stock-management measures to ensure the disruption did not affect airport operations, including daily monitoring of fuel levels, maintaining a minimum baseline of five days' stock at fuel farms and keeping aggregated daily stock records.

At ORTIA, the country's busiest airport, current fuel stock provides between five and six days' cover against an average daily demand of about 3,850 cubic metres.

Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) is also adequately supplied, despite its primary source being the Astron refinery, which accounts for between 70% and 75% of its fuel stock. The balance comes from marine imports and is stored at the Burgan terminal.

CTIA currently has about 4.5 days' fuel cover against daily demand of approximately 1,400 cubic metres. ACSA expects this to increase to about 5.5 days after a fuel storage tank returns to service following planned maintenance.

The tank was expected to return to service on 26 August.

Elsewhere across ACSA's network, fuel reserves remain stable. King Shaka International Airport has approximately 12 days' stock cover. At the same time, Chief Dawid Stuurman, King Phalo, George, Bram Fischer, Kimberley and Upington airports operate on fully import-backed supply arrangements with daily replenishments.

ACSA said stock levels at these airports are maintained at a minimum of six days' cover.

The airport operator said it had also put contingency measures in place should fuel stocks at any airport fall to three days' cover.

These measures include intensifying the monitoring of replenishments from fuel operators and suppliers, engaging directly with affected airlines and activating ACSA's Fuel Forum.

"ACSA is working closely with all relevant stakeholders to manage the situation proactively and to ensure minimal impact on airport operations," the company said.

Flight schedules across the ACSA network continue to operate normally.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy is being kept informed of developments, ACSA said.